Autographic register



June 24, 1941.

c. w. POTTER AUTOGRAPHIC REGI STER Filed Dec. 5, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 15 v 1171251567' @In a. rw v fri V 6g 4MM t/b MW; l 0141163 June 24, 1941. C, w, P01-TER 2,247,067

AUTOGRAPHIC REGI STER m\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\m\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\w Julie 24, 1941.

C. W. POTTER l AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec.

Izvwor @L rik W. 6% lfsw by WM @92; L MM; 0/ 02'1163 Patented June 24, 1941 sr'res Para This invention relates to-autographic registers and is exemplified herein in a register of the portable type designed for using stationery in the form commonly known as fold pack, comprising, as a rule, a multiple strip made up of two n or more superposed continuous strips of paper folded zigzag on transverse, weakened lines. These strips are usually provided on one face with printed forms adapted to be lled in for recording sales, orders or other data called for bythe particular use to which the register is applied. Transfer material interleaved between `the strips reproduces upon the underneath strip or strips whatever is written on the top strip.

'I'he present invention relates more especially I',

a writing table and a skeleton cover adapted for exposing the forms on the writing table. The container is open at one end, permitting the end of the multiple strip to be drawn from the magazine and laid over the top of the container, suitable transfer sheets fastened to the top being interleaved with the strips for reproducing upon the underneath forms whatever is written on the top form.

One of the important features of my invention resides in the means provided for registering to that type of register comprising a container or magazine adapted to hold a suitable supply of fold pack stationery, in which the free end of vthe multiple strip is drawn out of one end lof the container and laid over its top which serves y as a writing table and in whi-ch the feeding of the strip is accomplished manually by gripping and exerting a pull on its free end to bring the next succeeding set of forms `over and upon the writing table, after which the filled-in forms are torn off along perforated lines.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an autographic register of simple and compact construction, which includes a minimum number of parts and which is efficient l.

and easily operated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of simple and effective means for aligning and registering the for-ms in a multiple strip on each feeding operation.

A further object is the provision of a construction which permits a register of small size and light weight to be made for use as a portable register.

An additional object is the provision of a portable register which is adapted to handle fold pack stationery in which the bottom strip is of heavier material, such as tag stock.

Another object is the provision in a portable register of an easily accessible compartment in which copies of the filled-in orders or other forms may be temporarily led as the register is being used.

Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part more specifically described hereinafter.

In its preferred form, my invention contemplates an autographic register comprising a flat container for holding a supply of fold pack stationery and having a top adapted to serve as and aligning the strips on each feeding operation, so that the writing .on all the strips will register properly with the printed forms. The preferred form of this means comprises@ strip member pivotally mounted in advance of the for- Ward edge of the top ofthe container and having a thin edge for engaging a fold in the multiple strip Vto align the parts thereof and to resist feeding. The Strip member is held in advanced aligning position by one or more suitable springs, which, however, permit it to be pivotally etracted to open up the fold and Yrelease it when a pull of sumcient force is exerted upon the end of the multiple strip. kAfter a fold has been released by a rearward pulLthe strip member is returned by the spring to normal position for engaging the next fold in the multiple strip.

Another feature of my invention resides in the provision in the register of a compartment in which may be temporarily filed, for auditing or other purposes, copies of the forms which are filled out during the use of the register. Preferably, this compartment is of shallow form, positioned on the bottom of the register and so constructed as to avoid increasing either the bulk or the Weight of the register to any appreciable extent. The compartment may extend a short distance beyond one end of the register to afford a top opening through which the slips may be inserted into the compartment and held therein by its end wall.

In the accompanying drawings showing, for the purposes of illustration, one form of device constructed and adapted to be operated in accordance with my invention, Figure 1- is a perspective view of the manifolding device or register, with one side of the cover broken away to expose the interior construction, the device being shown as in loaded condition and with a set of forms exposed on the Writing table ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view Aon line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View on line 3-3 in Fig. 2 adjacent the rear end of the device, looking forwardly;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View on line 4 4. in Fig. 2, adjacent the forward end of the device, looking rearwardly;

Fig. 5 is a. transverse sectional View on line 5-5 in Fig. 2, looking rearwardly and showing the transfer holding means;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a member adapted for holding the transfer sheet in proper position with a transfer sheet locked thereon;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the device, with a portion of the rear of the cover broken away to show the position of the means for holding down the free ends of the strips when moved forward to permit feeding;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View on line 8-8 in Fig. 7;

Fig, 9 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the rear portion of the device on line 9-9 in Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal, sectional View of the forward portion of the device on line Illlll in Fig. '1, showing the position of the parts when the fold has been opened up to release it from the fold-retaining member;

Fig. 1l is a perspective view, looking from below, of the register provided with a bottom compartment for temporary filing of copies of filledout forms;

Fig. 12 is a central, longitudinal, sectional view of the same;

Fig. 13 is a transverse, sectional view on line i3-l3 in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a view in perspective of the rear end of the register, showing the compartment opening.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodiment of my invention, there is shown a flat rectangular container or casing adapted to serve as a magazine for holding a supply of stationery in the form of a flat pack. The container comprises a base plate l5 to which is fastened in spaced parallel relation by side plates I6 and l1, atop plate i8 adapted to serve as a writing table (Fig. 1). The top plate is of smaller area than the base and is arranged centrally thereover, and the side plates i5 and il on each side are spaced apart for supporting the ends of the top plate. Each of the side plates is provided at its foot with an outwardly turned ange 2Q fastened to the base plate by any suitable means such as rivets 2l.

The top plate I8 is supported on the top edges of the side plates and is locked thereto by overlapping portions of those edges. At the forward end of the container, the side edges of the top plate overlap the rear top edges of the side plates l5, the forward portions 23 of which extend above the top plate and have rearwardly extending lugs 24 overlapping the upper face of the top plate for locking that end of it to said side plates. .The rear side plates il support the rearY end of the top plate and are provided with rearwardly faced lugs 25 for overlapping and locking that end of the top plate thereto. Beyond the ends of the top plate, the sidev plates are extended to the ends of the base and their top edges are curved to correspond with the shape of the skeleton cover 25 which is adapted to enclose the container. Between the side plates i6 and i1, the container is open on each side. By means of this construction, the top plate is interlocked on its side edges with the side plates, thereby eliminating the use of other fastening means and producing a structure of extreme simplicity.

The container, at its rear end, is partially closed by various means described hereinafter, but its forward end is entirely open to permit the fold pack supplies to be inserted into the container from that end. A fold pack 30 is shown mounted in the container and the forward end of the multiple strip 3l of the pack is led up around the forward end of the top plate and laid over said plate for writing purposes. Suitable transfer sheets are fastened to the top plate by any suitable means and interleaved between the members of the multiple strip. One means for mounting the transfer sheets, as shown, consists of thin, flexible strips 32 of suitable material, either metal or fiber, having their ends 33 mounted in slots 34 formed in the extended tops 23 of the side plates l5 which serve to hold the strips in stationary position. Each strip carries a carbon sheet 35, the forward end of which is provided with two pairs of longitudinal slits 36 through which the strip is passed, after which the forward edge of the carbon is turned reversely, as shown in Figure 6. This arrangement securely locks the carbon sheet against withdrawal from the strips when the record sheets are pulled rearwardly during the feeding operation.

For `aligning and registering the forms on the writing table on each feeding operation, an aligning member 40 is mounted at the forward end of the container parallel to the forward edge of the top plate and in advance of the top plate in position for engaging the bottom face of the multiple strip 3| for breaking it on transverse lines. This member comprises a thin strip having its two ends 4l turned downwardly at right angles and pivotally mounted midway on pins 42 set in the outer faces of the side plates I5. The rocking axis of the member 40, as determined by the pins 42, is parallel to the forward edge of the top plate. Hence the member 40 is always substantially parallel to the forward edge of the top plate. A collar 43 may be mounted on each pin 42 for spacing the arm 4l away from the side plate. Each of the side plates is provided with an oblique open slot 45 and the aligning strip normally lies f45j in the mouths of these slots and in alignment of the slot which serves as a stop (Fig. 2).

with the upper face of the top plate. To hold the aligning member normally in this position, yet permitting it to be turned rearwardly under stress, one or more helical springs 41 under tension may be applied to the free ends of the arms 4l. Preferably, two springs are used, one for each arm, and one end of each spring is fastened to the end vof an arm 4l and its other end to a pin 48 in a side plate. In normal position, the forward edge of the strip engages the lower side The aligning member is so positioned that when it is turned on its pivots in a rearward direction, it moves into proximity to the beveled forward edge 5U of the top plate, as shown in Fig. 10, thereby causing the fold to open up and to be released from said edge.

For holding the fold pack 3l] against shifting in the magazine, abutments or stops of any suitable form may be provided for the two ends of the pack, such, for instance, as a U-shaped plate 55 fastened by a screw 56 to the base plate l5 at the rear end of the pack and a U-shaped member 53 at the forward end of the pack (Fig. 3). This latter member is fastened at 59 to the inner face of the forward end of the cover in any suitable manner and is a part thereof (Fig. 2) so that when the cover is removed, the forward end of the container is left open and free of obstruction for permitting it to be loaded. The member 53 is preferably made of thin, flexible strip material so that its rearward arm, which extends upwardly in close proximity to the aligning member 40, may serve as a guide to direct the multiple strip 3| to that member in such manner as to insure sharp folds in the strip at transverse weakened lines (Fig. 2).

For preventing the free end of the multiple strip from curling upwardly, a strip member 60 is mounted transversely the writing table at its rear end (Fig. 1) and in spaced relation thereto. This member is provided with down-turned ends 6l which are fastened to similar down-turned ends of a second strip 63 positioned under the rear end of the table. The ends of the two strips 60 and 63 are, in turn, fastened to a pair of slides 64 loosely mounted in slide-ways formed in the side plates Il by pressing outwardly the upper edge 65 of each plate which lies between two Vertical cuts S5. The slides are held downwardly in the slide-ways by the side portions l of the writing table which overlap the top edges of the side plates. A spring 68 under tension, fastened at one end to the struck-out portion 65 and at its other end to the forward end of the slide 54, holds each slide in rearward position, as shown in Figure 1.

For moving the holding member t@ forwardly for permitting the free end of the multiple strip to be gripped by the fingers and pulled rearwardly to bring a new set of forms over the writingl table, the strip 63 carries a down-turned finger piece l0, and the writing table is cut at 1| on a half circle. The rear corners of the table IB are also cut away at l2 to permit forward movement of the holding strip.

The cover 26, which encloses the container, is of skeleton form, open on the bottom and having a rectangular opening 'l5 in its top adapted to expose the forms on the writing table. The cover has straight sides l and curved ends Tl and 18. For fastening the cover to the container, its forward end 'H on its inner face is provided with a pair of clips 79 adapted to hook in around the forward edge of the base l5; and its rear end 18 carries a headed pin 30, the inner end of which is adapted to enter a hole 8l (Fig. 3) in the rear arm 32 of the U-shaped plate 55. The clips 'i9 are U-shaped, and are fastened at their inner ends each by a screw 83 to the bottom face of a rib 84 on the cover. The pin 3@ is mounted loosely in the end 'I8 of the cover, but is held in forward locking position by a helical spring 85 carried by the pin between the inner face of the cover and a collar 85 on the pin. The bottom edge of the cover, on its sides and rear end, may be rabbeted, as shown at 81 in Figures 2 and 3.

To permit the free end of the strip :il to be pulled rearwardly when the holding member Eil is moved forwardly, as shown in Figure '7, the top portion of the curved rear end 18 of the cover is depressed to bring its top edge 88 into alignment with the rear end of the writing table and a recess 89 is formed in the end 'i8 for affording access to the finger piece l0.

In Figures 11 to 14 inclusive of the drawings, the register of my invention is shown as provided with a shallow bottom compartment 92 in which may be placed, from time to time during use, copies of the various forms filled out by the user, these forms being intended to be removed later from the compartment either for auditing, filing, or other purposes. partment may be formed in any suitable manner,

The com- K but, as shown, it is made from a thin sheet of metal 93, having its side and forward end edges turned upwardly to form side walls 94 and an end wall 95, and then inwardly to form side flanges gli and an end ange 91 which may be riveted to the bottom face of the base I5, through the holes 98.

Preferably, the sheet S3 is extended beyond the rear end. of the base l5 and that end of it is provided with an open central longitudinal recess 00 and with an upturned end ange I0! on each side of the recess. By extending the compartment a short distance beyond the rear end of the register, a top opening is provided through which lled-in forms may be slipped into the compartment, and. these forms will be retained therein by the end flanges lill, thereby eliminating any danger of the forms slipping out of the compartment while the register is being used. Since the compartment is somewhat larger in area than the forms filed therein, it may be restricted to approximately the size of those forms by strips H right-angled in cross-section, which may be wel-ded or riveted to the sheet 93 (Fig. 13). For holding the forms forward in the compartment, a tongue WS may be eut out of the sheet and bent upwardly and into right-angled form and its end attached to the bottom face of the base l5 by a rivet H37. The two side strips m5 and the tongue H25 retain the forms in a forward position in the compartment and the recess D permits the top and bottom faces of the pile of forms in the compartment to be gripped by the fingers for removing them therefrom.

In use, the register may be placed on a table or counter and for supporting it a slight distance above the support, the base l5 or the bottom plate of the compartment may be provided with rubber tips HO, or the register may be carried around and used as a portable register. To load the register, the cover is removed by withdrawing the pin from the member which releases the rear end of the cover which may then be lifted up and the forward end disengaged from the container. The removal of the cover leaves the forward end of the con.- tainer open for the linsertion of a pack 3! which may be made up of a single strip folded sigzag on perfo-rated lines H2, but is preferably made up of a plurality of superposed Astrips so folded. The top -end of the multiple strip isV drawn from the pack around the aligning member @i0 until that member engages the first line of perforations in the strip; whereupon, the free end of the strip embracing one set of forms is laid down upon the writing table. Carbon sheets are then interleaved between the strips by lifting up the strips and inserting in the slots 34 strips 2, each carrying a carbon sheet. After the carbon sheets have been interleaved, the cover is then replaced and locked 'to the container "and the register isready for use.

After the formson the writing table have been led in, the operator then presses the nger piece lil forwardly, moving the holding member in the same direction, which exposes the ends of the forms fOr gripping with thek fingers; after which theY forms are drawn rearwardly. The pull exerted on the end of the forms causes the aligning member d@ to turn rearwardly on its pivot into close proximity with the beveled, forward edge of the table, which results in opening up the fold at the perforated lines and re leasing the strips from the edge of the aligning member and permitting the strips to be drawn without appreciable resistance in a rearward direction. As soon as the folds are released from the aligning member, it is turned by the springs back to normal position ready to engage the next fold; and when the next fold engages the aligning member, the operator is informed of this fact by feeling an added resistance to the movementl of the strips. By this time, the perforated lines between the used forms and the next adjacent forms on the writing table are at the rearward edge of the holding member and the used forms may be torn off along the perforated lines by utilizing the holding member as a tearing member. If the register is provided with the compartment, then one or more of the copies torn off may be placed therein for future use.

It will be observed that the device of my invention is of simple construction comprising relatively few parts, and that it is simple and pesitive in operation. The formation of the container by the use of a pair of spaced-apart plates on each side of the container for fastening the top to the base plate provides a simple method of assembly of very low Cost. Ihe use of side plates in the form shown permits the top plate to be locked to the side plates without the use of other fastening means and, at the same time, the projecting tops of the side plates at the forward end of the container may be utilized for supporting `and holding `the members which carry the carbon sheets for providing two or more copies to be made at one time.

It is further to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the precise form herein shown and described, since it may be shown in various other forms of construction within the purview of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an autographic register, the combination of a flat container adapted for holding `a fold pack and having its forward end open and its top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted at the open end of said container and having a thin edge parallel to the forward end of said top and normally in advance thereof, said edge being adapted for engaging and breaking the multiple strip of said fold pack at transverse, weakened lines when said strip is led around said member and over said writing table, and a spring for holding said aligning member in advanced positien yet permitting it, when a pull is exerted on the forward end of said strip, to be pivotally retract-ed to a position in which said engaging edge is slightly below and closely adjacent to the end edge of said writing table to open up the fold in said strip to release it from said engaging edge.

2. In an autographic register, the combination of a dat container adapted for holding a fold pack and having one end open and its top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted at the open end of said container and having a thin edge parallel to the end of said top and normally in advance thereof, said edge being adapted for engaging 'and breaking the multiple strip of said fold pack at transverse, weakened lines when the end of said strip is led around said member and over said writing table, a guide for directing said strip to vsaid member and a spring for holding said aligning member in advanced position yet permitting it, when a pull is exerted on the forward end of said strip, to be pivotally retracted to a position in which said engaging edge is slightly below and closely adjacent to the end 'edge of said writing table to open up the fold in said strip to release it from said engaging edge.

3. In an autographic register, the combination of a container adapted for holding a pack Comprising a continuous strip of paper folded zigzag on transverse, weakened lines, said container having one end open and its top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted at the open end of said container and having a thin edge adapted for engaging and breaking said strip at transverse, weakened lines when said strip is led around said member and over said writing table, and a spring for holding said yaligning member in operative position yet permitting it, when a pull is exerted on the forward 4end of said Strip, to be pivotally retracted to a position in which said engaging edge is slightly below and closely adjacent to the end edge of said writing table to open up the fold in said strip to release it from said engaging edge.

4. In an autographic register, the combination of a container adapted for holding a fold pack and having its forward end open and its top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted at the open end of said container and having a thin edge parallel to the forward end of said top and normally in advance thereof, said edge being adapted for breaking and aligning the strips of said fold pack at transverse, weakened lines when said strips are led around said member and over said writing table7 and resilient means for holding said aligning member in advanced position yet permitting it, when a pull is exerted on the forward end of said strip, to be pivotally retracted to a position in which said engaging edge is slightly below and closely adjacent to the end edge of said writing table to open up the fold in said strip to release it from said engaging edge.

5. In an autographic register, the combination of 4a flat container adapted for holding a fold pack comprising a continuous multiple strip folded zigzag on transverse, weakened lines, said container being open at its forward end and having a top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted `at the open end of said container and having a thin -edge parallel with the forward end of said top and normally in advanced alignment therewith, said edge being adapted for engaging a fold in said strip to resist feeding when the free end of said strip is led around said aligning member and over said top in writing position, and resilient means for normally holding said member in advanced relation to the forward end of said top yet permitting said member to be turned to `a position in which said engaging edge is slightly below and closely adjacent to said end edge by a rearward pull on the end of said strip to open said fold and to release it from said member to permit feeding of the strip.

6. In an autographic register, the combination of a flat container adapted for holding a fold pack comprising a continuous multiple strip, folded zigzag on transverse, weakened lines, said container being open at its forward end and having a top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted at the open end of said container and having a thin edge parallel with the forward end of said top and normally in advanced alignment therewith, said edge Abeing adapted for engaging a fold in said strip to resist feeding when the free end of said strip is led around said aligning member and over said top in writing po-sition, a guide for controlling the course of said strip to said aligning member to form a sharp fold in said strip, and a spring for normally holding said member in advanced relation to the forward end of said top yet permitting said member to be turned to a position in which said engaging edge is slightly below and closely adjacent to said end edge by a rearward pull on the end of said strip to open said fold and to release it from said member to permit feeding of the strip.

7. In an autographic register, the combination of a fiat container adapted for holding a fold pack and having its top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted at the forward end of said container and having a thin edge parallel to the forward end of said top and normally in advance thereof, said edge being adapted for engaging and breaking the multiple strip of said fold pack at transverse, weakened lines when said strip is led around said member and over said writing table, resilient means for holding said aligning member in advanced position yet permitting it, when a pull is exerted on the forwardy end of said strip, to be pivotally retracted to a position in which said engaging edge is slightly below and closely adjacent to the end edge of said writing table to open up the fold in said strip to release it from said engaging edge, `and a skeleton Vcover detachably mounted on and enclosing said container.

8. In an autographic register, the combination of a fiat contain-er adapted for holding a fold pack and having one end open and its top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted at the open end of said container and having a thin edge parallel to the end of said top and normally in advance thereof, said edge being adapted for engaging and breaking the multiple strip of said fold pack at transverse, weakened lines when the end of said strip is led around said member and over said writing table, a guide for directing said strip to said member, a spring for holding said aligning member in advanced position yet permitting it, when a pull is exerted on the forward end of said strip, to be pivotally retracted to va position in which said engaging edge is slightly below and closely adjacent to the end edge of said writing table to open up the fold in said strip to release it from said engaging edge, and a cover detachably mounted on and enclosing said container, and having a top opening for exposing the forms on said writing table.

9. In an autographic register, the combination of a flat container adapt-ed for holding a fold pack comprising a continuous multiple strip, folded zigzag on transverse weakened lines, said container being open at its forward end and having a top adapted to serve as a writing table, an aligning member pivotally mounted ai', the open end of said container and having a thin edge parallel with the forward end of said top and normally in Vadvanced alignment therewith, said edge being adapted for engaging a fold in said strip to resist feeding when the free end of said strip is led around said aligning member and over said top in Writing position, a spring for normally holding said member in advanced relation to, the forward end of said top yet permitting said member to be turned toward said end by a rearward pull on the end of said strip to open said fold and to release it from said member to prevent feeding of the strip, and a cover detachably fastened to said container for enclosing the samle, said cover having a top opening for exposing the forms on said writing table and having fastened to the inner face of its forward end a guide for controlling the course of said strip toy said aligning member to form a sharp fold in said strip.

10. In an autographic register for use with fold packs of paper strips, a flat writing table, means for supporting said table with its forward edge free, a strip aligning member having a thin edge, means for supporting said member so that said thin edge is parallel to said forward edge of the table, spring means normally maintaining said thin edge slightly above the plane of the upper surface of said table a short distance in advance of said forward edge, said aligning member being movable against the force of said spring means to a position in which said thin edge is adjacent to and slightly below said forward edge.

CHARLES W. POTTER. 

